Pasta & Roller Skates

By: Kathryn Rabb

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Can a trip back to childhood bring a man and a woman together?

Disclaimers: I do not own the JAG characters, they belong to someone else. I am just borrowing them for a little bit and promise to return them as soon as possible. Also the song 'Why Don't You and I?' is by Carlos Santana f/ Chad Kroeger and 'Could Not Ask For More' is by Edwin McCain. I don't own either song.

1653 Zulu (11:53 EST)

Red Sage Restaurant

Washington, DC

Harm and Mac left the doctor's office together with a prescription and advice to avoid strenuous activity if possible. The doctor knew the chances of that happening are as good as the chances of pigs flying. With it being lunch hour, Harm and Mac decided to go to Red Sage Restaurant, a bar and grill in DC.

At the restaurant, Harm and Mac were seated intimately at a window table sharing a plate of Saffron Shrimp Risotto. Unaware of their surroundings, Harriet and a group of women walked into the restaurant who noticed them immediately. Harriet excused herself to greet her friends, as she reached their table the couple still hadn't noticed the blonde woman's presence. Harriet cleared her throat, "Ahem."

Harm and Mac looked up at her with such a guilty face that Harriet nearly burst out laughing. "Harriet, how are you?" Mac said first.

"I'm good," Harriet replied.

"What are you doing here?" Harm asked nervously.

Harriet smiled knowingly, "Just having lunch with some of the PTA moms from AJ's school. What are you two doing here?"

Harm replied, "Just having lunch with Mac." And a silence fell over the trio. "Look Harriet-" Harm began but Harriet interrupted them.

"Look, you guys I am so happy for you and your secret is safe with me. All I ask is you hurry up and marry the woman," Harriet said to Harm as he blushed but she just giggled. "Enjoy, your lunch. I'll talk to you later." And with that Harriet walked back to her table where the women were looking curiously at Harm and Mac.

"Well, that was close," Mac chuckled and they finished their lunch.

Meanwhile...

A distinguished and honorable man drove past the restaurant and saw the pair eating. He could tell it was more then just two friends having lunch, that they were... lovers. "Well I'll be damned," the man mumbled to himself on his way to the Pentagon.

August 22, 2003

1339 Zulu (08:39 EST)

JAG Headquarters - Bullpen

Falls Church, Virginia

Harm hurried into the bullpen hoping no one would notice his late arrival. Upon seeing him Petty Office Coates stepped into his path, "Sir, the Admiral would like to see you in his office now."

Harm sighed as he handed her his briefcase and cover, "Could you take care of this please Petty Officer?"

"Yes, sir."

Harm knocked on the Admiral's office and heard the gruff command to enter. Harm walked in to see Mac already there and the Admiral reading a document on his desk. "Nice to see you join us, Commander. But I will excuse your tardiness due to your back problem," Admiral AJ Chegwidden said without looking up.

"Thank you, sir," Harm replied standing at attention.

AJ looked up and scrutinized the man that was like a son to him. Finally, "At ease and have a seat."

Harm followed the directive and stole a glance at Mac to see what was up. Mac held a calm facade but Harm could see the confusion boiling underneath. The partners waited for their commanding officer to explain while AJ just let them stew for a bit. AJ leaned back into his chair and looked at the pair, "It has come to my attention that the rules of engagement has changed."

Mac questioned, "Sir?"

"I believe the status of your personal life has changed, Colonel," AJ informed the panic-stricken senior attorneys. "However, keep it out of the office and... we never had this conversation."

"Sir, we can assure you that we will act with the utmost professional decorum in the office," Harm said.

Mac inquired, "Sir, I thank you for your kindness but could I ask how you came about to discovering Harm and I?"

AJ smiled, "You two aren't very discreet when it comes to eating are you?" And it dawned on them that he witnessed their lunch from the day before.

"Sir, we did go to the doc-" Harm started but was interrupted by AJ.

"I know you did Commander, but you can say I have friends in high places. Now get to work, dismissed," AJ commanded as he returned to the document. Harm and Mac stood up and snapped off a crisp salute before leaving. The day went off without anymore surprises for the pair until later that afternoon.

Harriet was visiting her husband at work when she saw Harm in Mac's office, it looked like they were discussing a case. Harriet decided to go chat with them, "Knock, knock."

"Harriet! Have a seat, how are you doing?" Mac said.

"I'm good, how are you?"

"Wonderful," Mac replied happily.

Harriet laughed, "How about you Harm?"

Harm grinned and winked, "Couldn't be better."

"So can I ask how you guys came to this... new level in your relationship?" Harriet's curiosity got the best of her.

Harm and Mac looked at each other for a brief moment. "Tony's House of Pasta and Roller Rink," Harm deadpanned.

"What?" Harriet was perplexed.

Mac laughed, "We were having dinner one night at Tony's House of Pasta and Roller Rink and one thing led to another and here we are."

"Oh," Harriet took a moment to digest the info, she gave them a weird look and said, "I have to go find Bud." And walked out. Harm and Mac laughed at the Harriet's face of utter confusion. The rest of the work day ended as Harm and Mac's secret was kept secret.

Weeks went by as Harm and Mac were professional at work and indulged in each other at home. They had their usual fights over certain cases and acted pretty normal as senior attorneys at JAG. During this time, neither could think possible but both of them fell more in love with one another as they would share a bed and spend hours at a time to just talk about anything. They were finally connected physically, mentally, and emotionally.

There was only one step left, marriage, but neither had brought it up. Both wanted it but were afraid if they take this final step something would go wrong and their relationship would completely disintegrate. Neither Harm nor Mac wanted to lose something that good. As more weeks went by, Harm would find himself looking at engagement rings, subconsciously he was ready. Consciously, Harm was scared shitless and all he knew was that he desperately wanted to marry the woman of his dreams.

After reevaluating his life and his priorities Harm set out to propose to Mac. Harm had spent weeks of looking for the perfect engagement ring and finally a week ago he found it. He bought the ring and now he had to propose and to do that he would need a little help.

To Be Continued...